‘Do not drive to JFK Airport this summer’

Delta airplanes line up at JFK Airport on Dec. 26.

REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) gave an update on Tuesday about its plans for reducing traffic congestion this summer at JFK International Airport in Queens. 

The agency’s main message? Do not drive to JFK this summer. 

Summer season passenger volume at JFK is forecast to set a second consecutive record this year, with 18.3 million passengers expected to use the airport amid heightened construction activity due to the ongoing $19 billion redevelopment of the airport, including its roadway network.

“If you can avoid it, don’t drive to JFK this summer,” said Jessica Forse, project executive of JFK’s redevelopment at the Port Authority. “Leverage and take public transportation.” 

AirTrain fare slashed in half

But a bright spot is that PANYNJ is implementing 50% off a single AirTrain ticket, as it did last year. From June 30 to Sept. 5, 2025, the price will drop from $8.50 to $4.25.

The half-price AirTrain JFK fare applies at both the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations, the two off-airport stations that require payment via OMNY or MetroCard. Jamaica is about 20 minutes from Grand Central Madison, Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal via Long Island Rail Road, and accessible from Long Island. Subway connections are also available at the Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Howard Beach subway stations via the A/E/J/Z lines.

“Once again, we are encouraging travelers to use public transit to reach JFK International this summer when we expect a record number of passengers to use the airport while we are also at the peak of construction, including extensive work on the roadways as we build a whole new world-class JFK,” Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton said. “We apologize for any inconvenience, but we promise that a new JFK is just around the corner, with the first new gates opening next year.”

What to expect

Overall, travelers should expect this summer major traffic pattern changes and detours, significantly reduced roadway capacity, relocated pickup and drop off locations for rideshare service at Terminals 4, 5 and 7.

Terminal 7 will be “especially challenging” to access by car.

New for this summer, travelers arriving to Terminals 5 and 7 and looking to take a for-hire vehicle will need to take the free AirTrain ride adjacent to Howard Beach to pick up a vehicle.

“While we recognize this may be a frustrating experience, remote pickup lots will save travelers time in their overall journey by avoiding gridlock conditions at the airport terminal frontages and using trains or buses to move travelers off of the airport roadway network,” Forse said. 

Major operational changes occurring this week include an impact on travelers heading to Terminal 7, though officials said it can impact others at the airport, too.

There will be different traffic patterns that will take drivers through the Terminal 5 area in and around parking garages that amount to a longer route to Terminal 7.

“In addition to impacts on roadways throughout the airport, we want drivers to be alert and aware of real-time Port Authority police officers who may be located a key locations throughout the airport terminals,”  Forse said.

Locations can change depending on the time of day and traffic conditions. 

If you have to drive to JFK Airport

Those who must drive to JFK should arrive three hours early. The free-wait lot at Lefferts Boulevard is available for those who need to be dropped off or picked up. 

Anyone who needs to drive and park should pre-book to guarantee a space as parking is extremely limited, Forse said.

The mitigation plans come before what is expected to be a record summer travel season and peak construction activity at the airport, PANYNJ officials said. 

The Port Authority is urging travelers to visit construction.jfkairport.com for the latest travel advisories before heading to the airport.